Thank you for asking.
We do know that IRCC is trying really hard to increase formal language learning through LINC. We have communicated, and with the short-term Syrian refugee funding pockets, we have been able to increase our conversation circles as best we can.
Again, I think there are many areas that we can improve on with many more of these types of conversation circles. I would say what we're trying to do is really not have a cookie-cutter type of program, but focus circles on youth, children, women, and men.
We have lots of ideas, enough volunteers—wonderful retired educators who've stepped up to the plate—but lack of funding to create more space. I think one of the many pieces that people might not realize is that, even though we have free hands in terms of volunteers offering the capacity, a lot of agencies lack the funding to acquire more space for these activities.
The very short answer is yes, we've reached out to IRCC. They've managed to offer short-term funding. Again, we're also trying to impress upon them that short-term funding is good, of course, but longer-term funding to sustain these activities is really important whilst the newcomers wait for formal language training.